Method of forming hollow or tubular articles.



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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JAMES P. SNEDDON, OF BARBERTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, yBY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS,TO THE STIRLING COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A

CORPORATION or NEw'JEEsEY.

METHOD oF FORMING HOLLOW OR TuBULAR.AaT|oL|-:s.

srEcI-ETCATION forming pm of 'Leaers'rateiit No. 693,174, date@ February11', 1902.

' Appiicaiion mea April 12, 1901. serial No. 55,542. (No Siiecimeiig.) Y

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES P. SNEDDON, a resident of Barbertom in thecounty of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Methods of Form ing Hollow or Tubular Articles Providedwith a Diaphragm; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full,clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to a method of forming hollow or tubular metalarticles irregular in outline and provided fwith a diaphragm, such asserpentine boiler-headers and the like, 4 and hasgfor its object toprovide a method for forming such articles of Wrought metal.

In the Niclausse and yDurr boilers the water-tubes comprise an outerWater-tube and an inner circulating-tube, both of which are connected tothe same header, and in consezo` quence of whichthe header is providedwith a longitudinal diaphragm forming two compartments or passages inthe header, with one of which the outer water-tubes communicate and withthe other of which the inner circui5 lating-tubes communicate, theobject of thisl diaphragm being to lseparate the two currents ofcirculation or the uptake and downtake, as they are called,in theheader'. These headers in Niclausse boilers must be shaped 3o toconnectwith a series of vertically-arranged tubes which areplacedstaggered, as is com-V mon in water-tube boilers, thereby -necessitatinga header which is sinuous or serpentine,'as it is'called, in outline.Heretofore 3 5 this form of header provided with a diaphragm 'has beenmade only by casting. In marine and similar boilers, however, lightnessin the headers is an essential requisite, and as a consequence it isdesirable to make these headers 4o of wrought-iron or steel. Prior to myinvention, however, it has not been possible to form serpentine headershavinga diaphragm in any other manner than by casting.

It is the object of my invention to provide 45k a method for formingthese headers of wrought met-al or steel; and to this end it consists,generally stated, in 'taking a tube, heating the same, inserting thereina shaped diaphragm,

and supporting said diaphragm in position inl the water-tubes of theboiler.

the tube and then pressing the walls of the tube down onto theedges ofsaid diaphragm and so supporting the tubel on the interior as to preventcollapse, thereby shaping vthe header and pressing the walls thereoffirmly onto the edges of the diaphragm, whereby the edges thereof areembedded inA the walls to hold the diaphragm Afirmly-inv place.

.The invention also consists in providing the shaped diaphragm with`edge lprojections l which embed themselves inthe walls of ,the

tube when the latter are pressed down on the edges of the diaphra'gm,which edgel projections maybe made sufficiently longto penetrate thewalls of the4 tubeand be 'upset on the outside thereof, thereby forminga tie between the walls ofthe diaphragm to strengthen the same againstheavy internal pressure'.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown suitable apparatus forcarryingout my invention, and in said'drawings- Figure l is 'alongitudinal vertical section of one form of mandrelsuitable for thispur- Fig. 2 is a longitudinal horizontal sectical section of a modifiedform of mandrel.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal horizontal section of Fig. 5 is a side view,and Fig. (ian` the same.

endview, of the tube employed. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical sectionof the dies, mandrel, and tube. f Fig. 8 is a transverse section of thesaine. Fig. 9 is asectional detail illustrating one manner of securing.the dia-y phragmpand Fig. l0,isa sectional detail illustrating themanner in which this-isldone. l "I have illustrated my invention asapplied 'to the formation of serpentine boiler-headers of the Niclaussetype and will describe` the same as applied thereto.

The mandrel comprises-a structurel, the same being preferably formedofcastlmet-ahsaid mandrel being provided with the flat side walls 2 2and with the corrugated top and bottom walls 3 3, the corrugations 4 onsaid walls extending at an angle or obliquely across the bottom and topfaces in order to adapt the header to the inclined position of ever, theheader is to be used with. a boiler In oase, howhollow boaelike havinghorizontal tubes, these corrugations t will extend straight across thetop and bottom faces of the mandrel. The side walls of the mandrel areprovided with the openings 5 in order to lighten the same, and in orderto strengthen the hollow mandrel-body the same may be provided withtransverse webs 6, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or transverse struts 7, asshown in Figs. 3 and 4. These internal supports, whether webs or struts,extend in a substantially vertical line between the top and bottom facesof the mandrel in order to receive the direct thrust of theforging-dies, as will hereinafter appear. The webs 6 (shown in Figs. 1and 2) are shown as extending diagonally across the mandrel-body betweenthe side walls to correspond to the oblique or diagonal arrangement ofthe corrugations 4;, as above explained.

The mandrel-body is formed in two or more longitudinal sections 8 S, thenumber of said sections depending on the number of diaphragms to besecured in the article, said body being divided on a vertical plane. Themeeting faces of these sections are shown stepped or jogged, as at inorder to conform to the shape of the diaphragm 10, the latter having astepped or jogged shape in order to provide faces 11, which are at rightangles to the inclined water-tubes of the boiler, said faces beingprovided with the openings 12, through which pass the circulating-tubesof the boiler, as will be readily understood by those skilled in theart.

rFhe dies for shaping the header or other article are shown in Figs. 7and S, and the same comprise a stationary bottom die 13 and a movabletop die 14, both of which are eorrugated transversely to correspond tothe corrugations of the mandrel, said corrugations, if necessary, beingalso inclined or oblique, as shown. 1f, however, the header is to beadapted for boilers having horizontal water-tubes, these corrugationswill run straight across the dies, the same as the corrugations 4 on themandrel andthe webs 6 therein. 15 represents a stationary side die, thesame being preferably formed integral with the bottom die 13; but thisis not necessary. Said side die is provided with a fiat face, as shown,and 1G represen ts a movable side die formed with a similar flat face.The die 14 is moved, preferably, by means of a hydraulic cylinder (notshown) or equivalent means, and the die 16 is like'- wise preferablymoved by a hydraulic cylinder, although it may be moved by a wedge orany other means. The tube 17 used for the formation of these headers isrectangular in cross-section, as shown in Figs. 5 and (i. The diaphragmis brought to the desired shapein any suitable way, and when the headeris to be serpentine in form the diaphragm is made with serpentine edgesto conform substantially to the shape of the finished header.

This diaphragm is made about one thirty-- second of an inch wider thanthe height of the mandrel and is placed between the sections 8 thereofand then, together with these sections, is slipped into the squared tube17, which has iirstbeen raised to a suitable forging heat and placed,together with the same, upon the bottom die 13, as shown in Figs. 7 and8. The side die 1G is then moved up against the tube 17 and inclosedmandrel, and the die 1-1 is then brought vdown to compress the walls ofthe tube against the mandrel, thereby shap ing the header and at thesame time pressing the top and bottom walls of the tube against theedges of the diaphragm 10, so that the latter will become embedded insaid top and bottom walls, as shown in Fig. 8, thereby forming aseeurefastening forsaid diaphragm in the header.

In the shaping of the header the metal in the side walls between thepoints 1S and 19 must be upset into the metal between the points 19 and20, or, in other words, the height of the side walls of the tube must bereduced an amount equal to the distance between the points 18 and 1l).In order to properly upset the metal to this amount and leave the wallsof uniform thickness, it is desirable that the side die 16 be at firstbrought against the side of the tube but lightly and then after the die14 has been brought down the said side die will be pressed firmlyagainst the side of the tube, thereby smoothing out and properly shapingthe upset metal in the side walls of the tube. In carrying out theinvention it may even be found desirable to give the dies 14 and 1Galternate slight inward and outward movements in order to effect abetter upsetting` and shaping of this metal, and it is for this reasonthat the side die 1G should be moved by means of a hydraulic cylinder orother means which will permit its ready inward and outward movement.

After the forging or shaping of the header is completed the side die 1Gis moved back and the top die 14 raised, and the said header is thenremoved from the dies and another put in its place and the operationrepeated. The mandrel-sections S are then broken out by means of a baror similar device, and the broken pieces are again taken to themeltingpot and used in the casting of other mand rels. The said mandreloffers a rigid support tothe thrust of the forging or shaping dies, andtherefore it is practically impossible for the header to collapse at oneor more points. The mandrel-sections, furthermore, are readilyremovable, and inasmuch as the metal can again he used the cost of saidmandrel-sections is practically only the cost oi' forming and pouringthe molds therefor.

In some eases it may be desirable to pro vide additional securing meansfor the diaphragm, and as such means the said diaphragm may be formedwith the edge projec tions or teats 21, (shown in Fig. 7,) whichprojections are located in the concave edge por tions of the diaphragm,so as not to require an additional-sized tube 17, which edge por- IOOtions 21 are caused lo embed themselves in the top and bottom walls ofthe header, therel by holding the diaphragm very securely in place.Theseedge projections may be made long enough, as shown at 22, Fig. 10,to penetrate the walls of the header and to be upset on the outsidethereof, as shown at 23, Fig. 9, so that the said projections 22,together with the diaphragm l0, form a tie between the top and bottomwalls of the header and strengthen the same against heavy internalpressure, as will be readily understood.

While I have shown my invention applied to the formation of serpentinewrought-metal headers provided with a diaphragm, I wish it understoodthat it is not'limited thereto, but may be used in the formation ofwroughtmetal headers of other than serpentine form or any other tubularwrought-metal articles provided with a diaphragm whether such ar-`ticles be rectangular in cross-section orbe serpentine in longitudinalsection or not. In these modifications of my invention it will only benecessary to change the shape of the mandrel-sections and of the dies tocorrespond to the shape of the article desired to be formed. I also wishit understood that my invention is not limited to the use of theparticular sectional mandrel shown nor to one having only twolongitudinal sections, it being suiiicient for my invention that thediaphragm is supported in position to have the walls of the tube pressedthereagainst and that the said tube be given such internal support aswill prevent its collapse during the forging process.

The apparatus herein shown and described is not claimed herein, but isclaimed in an application of even date herewith, Serial No. 55,543. l

What I'claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The method of forming Wrought-metal tubular articles provided with alongitudinal diaphragm, which consists in supporting a shaped diaphragmlongitudinally within the tube and then pressing the walls of the latteragainst theedges of the diaphragm to cause the latter to rmly engagesaid walls.

2. The method of forming wrought-metal tubular articles of irregularoutline longitudinally provided with a longitudinal diaphragm, whichconsists in supporting the shaped diaphragm longitudinally within thetube and then pressing the walls of the latter against the edges of thediaphragm to cause the latter to embed themselvesin said walls.

3. The method of forming wrought-metal tubular articles of irregularoutline longitudinallyprovidedwithalongitudinaldiaphragm, whichvconsists in heating a section of tube, inserting therein a shapeddiaphragm and supporting the same longitudinally in the tube, and thenpressing the walls of the latter against the edges of the diaphragm tocause the latter to embed themselves in said walls.

4. The method of forming wrought-metal tubular articles provided with adiaphragm,

which consists in taking a shaped diaphragm provided with edgeprojections, supporting the same within the tube, and then pressing` thewalls of the latter against the edges of the diaphragm to cause theprojections on the latter to embed themselves in said walls.

5. The method of forming wrought-metal tubular articles provided with adiaphragm,

Vwhich consists in taking a shaped diaphragm with edge projections,supporting the same within the tube, and then pressing the Walls of thelatter against the edges of the diaphragm to cause said projections topenetrate said walls and be upset on the outside thereof.

6. The method of forming wrought-metal tubular articles provided with adiaphragm,

edges of the diaphragm caused to embed themselves in the walls thereof.

7. The method of forming wrou`ght-metal tubular articles provided with adiaphragm, which consists in taking a squared tube, heating the same,inserting a shaped `diaphragm Y itherein, and supporting said tube onthe interior, and then while so interiorly supported v ressing the wallsthereof against the edges of the diaphragm whereby thearticle is shapedand the diaphragm firmly secured therein.

8. The method of forming wrought-metal tubular articles provided with adiaphragm, which consists in taking a diaphragm having sinuous edgesprovided with projections on their concave portions, supporting thesamewithin the tube, and then pressing the walls of the latter against theedges of the dia- IOO.

phragm to cause the edge projections thereof to embed themselves in saidwalls.

9. The method offormin'g wrought-metal tubular articles provided with adiaphragm, which consists in taking a diaphragm having sinnous edgesprovided with projections on their concave portions, supporting the samewithin the tube, and then pressing the walls of the latter against theedges of the dia phragm to cause said projections to penetrate saidwalls and be upset on the outside thereof.l

10. The method of forming wrought-metal tubular articles provided with adiaphragm, which consists in taking a diaphragm with steps or jogs,supporting the same within the tube, and then pressing the walls of thelatter against the edges of the diaphragm to cause the latter to embedthemselves in'said walls. f

JAs. .,P. s NEDDoN.

Witnesses:

0. D. EVERHARD, E. E. BAKER.

